Hormone replacement therapy is classically used to treat the symptoms of menopause or andropause, however hormones can become unbalanced at any stage of life. Bio-identical hormone replacement, therapy can be used for the teenage years, women who are premenstrual, for fertility, or peri and post menopausal. For women in particular, symptoms such as fatigue, hot flushes, vaginal dryness, irritability, sleep disturbances, weight gain and endometriosis may all be signs of hormone imbalance.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is an option for patients suffering an imbalance as the molecular structure of the hormones used are identical in every way to the hormones produced by our own bodies.  These hormones have been extracted from yam or soy and then have been refined to become either progesterone, estriol, estradiol, estrone, testosterone, DHEA or pregnenolone. Bio-identical Hormone Replacement therapy must be compounded. North Queensland Compounding Pharmacy uses only micronised, pharmacopeial grade, TGA registered and approved bio-identical hormones, no progestins or synthetic hormones!

Micronised (bio-identical) progesterone is preferred over the type of progesterone used in HRT as this has been proven in a recent study to be safe and an effective form of hormone replacement therapy in comparison to synthetic progestins in classic commercially available oral and transdermal HRT preperations. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1974841/)

North QLD Compounding can tell you that hormone replacement therapy isn’t just for women – many men benefit from it too. Age related decreasing levels of free testosterone and/or increasing estrogen levels may cause a hormone deficiency known as Andropause or “male menopause”. Symptoms experienced include: Decreased libido, muscle mass, strength, and stamina, impotence, osteoporosis, sleep disorders, heart disease, depression and anxiety to name a few.

Normal male aging is accompanied by a decline in testicular function resulting with decreasing levels in testosterone production and thus a decline in free testosterone levels which may also be accompanied with an increase in estrogen levels also. Around the age of 40 the level of free testosterone begins to decline about 1% a year.

Your natural balance may be restored though supplementation of bio-identical testosterone, which has been shown to relieve the symptoms of andropause. Different men need different amounts or differing dosage forms of testosterone to help address their individual symptoms. The value of hormone replacement through pharmacy compounding is its ability to fit your unique body and hormone levels, resulting in better accuracy and a healthier balance.

These micronized hormones can be compounded into dosage forms such as transdermal creams, sublingual drops, gels, troches, pessaries or capsules based on the individuals personal preference and the doctors recommendations. Through consultation with your doctor, monitoring of blood and/or saliva hormone levels, and assistance from your compounding pharmacist, hormone levels can be effectively and safely balanced and restored for both men and women of all ages. There are specific doctors that we know who specialise in this area and we are happy to connect you with a doctor in your local area to help discover the most appropriate bio-identical hormone replacement treatment(s) for your needs. North QLD Compounding is up to date with and uses only evidence backed medicine that is clinically proven to be SAFE.